A DERELICT high street restaurant will be transformed into an apartment complex.

The former Y Bistro in Llanberis will be revamped under ambitious plans by North Wales Housing Association.

NWH plans to build nine new homes within the vacant building, which has lain empty since 2008.

Since closing its doors the substantial corner property has slowly fallen into a state of neglect.

Work is now underway to completely refurbish the site, with local contractor Celtic Souza aiming to complete and hand the project over in November this year.

A mix of two-bedroomed homes will be available for rent, facilitating a need for smaller rental properties in the Llanberis area, according to NWH development director Phil Danson.

“This building has been left for several years and was slowly becoming an eyesore along Llanberis’ main through road,” he said.

“Our decision to purchase the building was made under our Empty Homes initiative which looks at redeveloping abandoned buildings and providing homes for local people.

“Once complete the project will provide nine high quality homes whilst regenerating a large, centrally placed building to an excellent standard.”

The project formed part of a wider collaboration with Gwynedd Council and was reinforced by funding from the Welsh Government Social Housing Grant.

Councillor Trefor Edwards, Gwynedd Council’s Portfolio Leader for Housing, added: “We are very pleased to see this important project bearing fruit – it will be an opportunity for people to find homes within their own communities.

“It is important that we make the best use of the buildings located within the county and this project demonstrates the potential to making better use of the empty buildings located within our towns and villages.”

NWH provide homes and services to over 2,400 households across Denbighshire, Conwy, Gwynedd and Anglesey. The organisation employs around 150 dedicated people.

With an annual turnover of around £11 million, governance is provided through a voluntary Board of Management, at least 25% of whom are tenants.

Chief executive Paul Diggory and the team recently launched a private development business ‘domus Cambria’.

A residential development enterprise, domus Cambria (translated ‘Welsh Home’) will support continued investment in local communities, housing provision and job creation through private development.